West Ham fan group demands answers from board over major London Stadium changes

Hammers supporters protested for years for the duo and the sadly passed David Gold to leave the club in the wake of the move to the London Stadium.

The first years at the ground following the emotional departure from West Ham’s beloved Boleyn Ground was beset by issues.

Vice-chair Brady hailed the move the ‘most successful stadium migration ever’.

But in-fighting among fans, problems with stewarding and anger over the distance from the stands to the pitch were just a few of a litany of reasons resentment towards the board spilled over.

It culminated with Hammers fan protests and that infamous pitch invasion during a 3-0 defeat at home to Burnley seven years ago this month.

A period of success under David Moyes and increased transfer spending quietened the noise around the owners.

But West Ham’s struggles in the last 16 months and a series of bad decisions and missteps have seen fan resentment towards the board bubble to the surface once more.

On the pitch, the appointment of Julen Lopetegui and decision to hand Tim Steidten the keys to recruitment may have set the club back years.

West Ham fan group demands answers from board

Off the pitch, West Ham fans have been protesting again this season over concessions, ticket prices and aspects of the club’s rented ground.

The Hammers performed a well-received U-turn over concessions and froze season ticket prices as a result of fan pressure.

A lack of atmosphere and away fans being in the home end has become a real issue for the Hammers too.

A giant wall constructed to block home and away fans from seeing one another has been cited as a major problem killing the atmosphere at the former Olympic Stadium.

West Ham’s owners responded over the wall issue in a Hammers News exclusive earlier this month.

Now a West Ham fan group is demanding answers from the board over major London Stadium changes.

Hammers United have been a leading voice for West Ham fans in recent years.

Major London Stadium changes proposed

Chairman Paul Colborne headed up the latest meeting of the group this week and they intend to demand answers from the likes of Sullivan and Brady over several issues.

He expressed concerns about the large numbers of traditional West Ham fans that had walked away and continue to walk away from the club.

Colborne said “this would have severe implications for the club we all loved”.

But he feels Hammers United and other fan groups can play a key part in reversing that trend by pushing for big changes to improve the matchday experience and atmosphere at the London Stadium.

Now Hammers United are demanding answers from the West Ham board on key questions over ticketing, a safe-standing section, specific singing and family sections and the removal of the much-criticised wall.

Here are the questions Hammers United want the club’s hierarchy to answer:

West Ham Ticket Exchange refunds

Question: “Will the Club commit to refunding actual cash, rather than Club Cash, for tickets resold via the ticket exchange system before the start of the 2025/26 season?”

If not, “can you provide a clear reason why and what alternative actions the Club is considering?”

Colborne pointed out that many fans did not use Ticket Exchange and if the Club refunded actual cash for tickets sold rather than Club Cash, then more supporters would use the system leading to fewer empty seats at the stadium. This in turn would generate more income for the Club.

Prioritisation of West Ham Ticket Exchange sales

Question: “Will the Club prioritise Ticket Exchange sales to Claret Members and those on the season ticket waiting list before making them available to the general public?”

If not, “can you provide a clear reason why and what alternative actions the Club is considering?”

The Hammers United chair hoped this would lead to fewer tickets sold on Ticket Exchange falling into the hands of non West Ham supporters.

P1 Travel Ticket Allocation at London Stadium

Question: “Will the Club agree to restricting P1 Travel ticket allocations to designated areas in the upper tier – rather than across multiple blocks?” If not, “can you provide a clear reason why and what alternative actions the Club is considering?”

Safe Standing at London Stadium for West Ham matches

Question: “Will the Club formally commit to implementing a safe standing section at the London Stadium for home fans, subject to regulatory approval?”

If not, “can you provide a clear reason why and what alternative actions the Club is considering?”

Hammers United noted former co-owner Gold’s support for the speedy introduction of safe standing.

West Ham atmosphere/singing section at London Stadium

Question: “Will the Club commit to work with the FAB to establish, as soon as possible, a designated ‘atmosphere/singing section’ at the London Stadium?”

If not, “can you provide a clear reason why and what alternative actions the Club is considering?”

Family section creation at Hammers matches

Question: “Will the Club commit to work with the FAB to establish, as soon as possible, a ‘family section’ at the London Stadium?”

If not, “can you provide a clear reason why and what alternative actions the Club is considering?”

Hammers United want to explore a transitional approach to designated areas to avoid forcible displacement of season ticket holders.

Removal of fan wall in Block 113 at London Stadium

Question: “Will the Club commit to replacing the wall in Block 113 with netting before the start of the 2025/26 season?”

If not, “can you provide a clear reason why and what alternative actions the Club is considering?”